 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | DIGITAL MANGA PUBLISHING | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | HYOUTA FUJIYAMA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 200 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | M | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 12/05/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 01/11/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Nanase and Heiji are taking things slow, but just when things are finally heating up, Nanase’s big brother walks in on them and is shocked by what he’s witnessed. Now he’s doing everything he can to break the two up. Could this romance fail before it truly flies?
The sequel to the first manga leads up to Nanase and Heiji consummating their relationship. The overall tone to the manga is part funny and equal parts compassion as the writer strives to show all points of view of the people involved in an understandable way. Nanase’s own desires threaten to spill over, but new to all this, he stumbles about on how to deal with it. Heiji, always understanding, calm and considerate, offers his support despite his own wish to connect with Nanase more physically and bring their relationship to the next level. It’s easy to see why he puts Nanase at ease and makes him feel safe. Nanase’s older brother has a very candid discussion both with Nanase and later with Heiji. He isn’t some outright villain, but instead his position is shown to be a sympathetic one. And the story is a sweetly natured romance that includes affection, support, and understanding. The manga follows up the end of the sequel with a series of bonus stories that feature some of the other characters of Kinsei Academy. This includes Doctor Asano and Mizusawa. He keeps coming to the doctor to vent each time he gets dumped. The doctor offers an unconventional solution and the mix up that it stirs up gets to them both. Mizusawa doesn’t know if all the rumors are true about the doctor. Has he slept with a hundred students or none? And why did he kiss Mizusawa? Was he just teasing him? Joking? Making fun of him? That’s what Mizuawa wonders and what he’s become obsessed with figuring out. Another side story involves Nanase and his brother. It’s quite short but very funny. In a completely unrelated bonus story, Narita has his handsome android Akira by his side always. His attachment is not quite the norm and his friends are concerned. But as this gentle and introspective story unfolds, just where does a machine end and consciousness begin? Especially when it comes to the heart? While Narita questions whether it’s programming or authentic desire that moves his android companion, this story will not fail to move the reader’s heart. In another unrelated tale, love is found between two men who play on the same university volleyball team in “Love Changes”. Furuya falls for the tall Aikawa, which is against his normal short and cute type. Their love story ends abruptly but the author assures us that their tale of passion and romance has only just begun. Decent art prevails in this manga. It is the type of style and design I think North American readers have come to expect from shonen ai (yaoi) mangaka. It is filled with lean men, ardent moments, and touching romances. IN SUMMARY:
Ordinary Crush is a sweet romance. This second volume sees Nanase and Heiji’s relationship reach the next level.
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